Exeter’s strength in depth shines through, Northampton loves Taqele Naiyaravoro, and Aled Brew ‘won’t be doing that again’ Related: Controversial Leicester red card spoils eight-try classic as Wasps prevail Related: Freddie Burns insists that Todd Blackadder rumours are nonsense Team of the week Continue reading...
Dylan Hartley makes an impact, Brad Shields suffers injury blow and George Smith’s red card proves costly for BristolGeorge Smith’s red card against Saracens has split opinion. Bristol’s Pat Lamis among those to think a yellow card would have sufficed and many observers have suggested it was on the harsh side. What counted against Smith, however, is that it was the kind of tackle that has been identified by the Rugby Football Union in its research as the most likely to cause head injuries, leading to the “armpit tackle” trial in the Championship Cup. There can also be no denying it was the decisive moment in the match – the scores were level at 18-18 until that point. Billy Vunipola...
New signings Danny Cipriani and Dan Biggar faced off, Will Skelton impressed for Saracens and Worcester ran Wasps closeThere are plenty of high-profile fixtures heading to Newcastle over the next 12 months, with the city to host this season’s European Champions Cup final and England’s final warm-up game prior to the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which will be confirmed this week for a Friday night at St James’ Park. There are currently only around 10,000 public tickets left for the European showpiece next May, which Saracens will be hoping involves another trip to Tyneside for them. If their Australian forward Will Skelton, who has slimmed down by 15kg since the end of last season, can maintain the promising form he...
Player tiredness and availability could be key; there are six new laws to consider and Warren Gatland does battle with Steve Hansen againIreland broke the mould in 2014 but before that, as sure as death and taxes, France would win the first Six Nations championship after a Lions tour, often with a grand slam to boot. Related: Rob Baxter challenges Exeter to play like Premiership champions | Robert Kitson Related: Premiership 2017-18: team-by-team preview of England’s rugby union season Related: Ambitious Pro14 looks at Germany, Spain and Canada for further expansion | Paul Rees Related: New Zealand begin to suffer from player exodus to the wealthy north | Paul Rees Continue reading...
Alex Lozowski stakes further England claim, Ben Te’o gives reminder to Lions and Eddie Jones is busy casting his eye over options for tour of Argentina Related: Alex Lozowski sparks Saracens revival to defeat dominant Northampton • Match report: Northampton 25-27 Saracens• Match report: Bristol 21-36 Wasps• Match report: Worcester 25-19 Bath Related: Bristol go down fighting after spirited battle against Wasps • Two-tone approach may throw Warburton and Hartley a Lions lifeline• Match report: Harlequins 26-39 Exeter Continue reading...